Legendary wildlife cameraman Doug Allan heads for Highlands

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If legendary naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough thinks wildlife cameramen don’t come much more special than Doug Allan, you had better sit up and take note.

For those uncertain of why the presenter of such famous wildlife series as the Blue Planet and Life on Earth holds Fife-born Allan in such high regard, then a trip to Fort William or Oban in October may hold the answer.

For multi-award-winning Allan will embark on a major speaking tour that will take in the Nevis Centre in Fort William (October 13) and the Corran Halls in Oban (October 15).

Audiences at each of the venues will be treated to an evening of behind-the-scenes stories in a show that is both entertaining and informative as well as being suitable for all the family.

With 35 years’ experience of filming wildlife in some of the most remote places on the planet, from the Arctic to some of the deepest of oceans, Allan will highlight the most challenging assignments of his career.

Find out if snow leopards or leopard seals are the most scary; discover how to get close to the biggest fish in the sea; and hear whether your eyeballs freeze at minus 50.

Following two sell-out tours of Scotland, this new presentation traces Allan’s personal journey as he discusses how he has seen pollution and climate change affect the natural world.

Allan spent seven years in Antarctica as a scientist, research diver and photographer for the British Antarctic Survey, before changing direction to full-time freelance filming in 1983.

Since then he has become one of the world’s best known and most respected cameramen, specialising in natural history, expeditions and science documentaries.

He has worked for the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and many others, filming for series including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Human Planet, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Operation Iceberg, Wild Cameramen at Work, and Forces of Nature with Brian Cox.

His photographic awards include eight Emmys and five BAFTAs. He has four honorary doctorates in recognition of his camerawork, as well as two Polar Medals. He’s an honorary fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and of the Royal Photographic Society.

Copies of Allan’s book Freeze Frame will be on sale, as well as his colour prints of polar bears, penguins and seals.